Be Ye Also Ready by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1916

“Be Ye Also Ready”

By F. M. W.

REPEATED warnings are given in the Scriptures of truth against the danger that Christian believers will become indifferent to the gospel message. Particularly is the church of God in the closing days of earth’s history admonished to guard against this menace. Read the following earnest exhortation given by our divine Lord:—

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 24: 42-44.

Similar warnings are given, as recorded by Mark and by Luke. These warnings are echoed and reechoed in the writings of the apostles.

The Master recognized that in the closing days of earth’s history his disciples would be beset by terrible temptations; that iniquity, like a great overflowing scourge, would sweep in upon them; that sin, in all its myriad forms and with its subtle and insidious wiles, would seek to overcome them. There would be danger of their sensibilities’ becoming benumbed, and that they would become weary in their long waiting for the Lord’s return. Hence these warning notes were sounded in the Sacred Record.

We who live now, in the closing days of earth’s history, know how easy it is to lose the sense of the significance of these solemn times. It is easy for us to become so engrossed in the cares of life, and even in the cares and perplexities attendant upon some part of the Master’s service in which we may be engaged, as to forget the terrible meaning which attaches to present-day movements. It is admitted by many careful observers that there has been a great deadening of the world’s sensibilities during the last two years. Great and important events have passed in such kaleidoscopic rapidity, the terrible war has had connected with it so many heart-sickening and revolting episodes and experiences, that the great multitudes are unmoved by ordinary events and occurrences. Conditions existing in the social, religious, industrial, and physical worlds, which two years ago appeared so pregnant

with meaning, have come to be regarded as hardly worthy of passing thought. Political events of the greatest importance as related to present-day civilization, and to the whole future history of the nations of men, are rapidly taking place. The outcome of the situation which exists no statesman can predict, no human intellect forecast. What startling events a day will bring forth, what far-reaching changes will come as the result of the present struggle, we must leave for the future to reveal. To his church in such a time as this the words of the Saviour are addressed:—

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13: 33-37.

Years ago, the servant of the Lord in speaking, we believe, of this very time, uttered this significant warning:—

“We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. “The agencies of evil are combining their forces, and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones. “The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times are right upon us. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the near future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, p. 11.

How little did we realize when this message was given that a little way in the future there would break upon the world the terrible scenes we have witnessed during the last two years. But the war with all its horrors came, and it came suddenly and unexpectedly, even to those best acquainted with the political situation. It was the suddenness with which all Europe was set on fire that startled men. In a week Europe was transformed from a land of peace, of quiet industrial pursuits, of apparent concord and harmonious cooperation among the nations, to a great armed camp. The industries of peace were transformed into accessories of war. Of the sudden terribleness of this transformation the editor of the London Daily Telegraph, in its issue of Aug. 1, 1914, speaks as follows:—

“As we look back over a week which has been full of the keenest excitement and the most feverish anxiety, we cannot fail to be struck with the extraordinary rapidity with which this present crisis has developed. . . . “Practically within the compass of a single week, we have had to watch the evolution of a crisis absolutely unparalleled in the memory of the present generation,—perhaps in the history of the world,—and have discovered to our astonishment and dismay that we stand on the brink, not of a mere localized conflict in the east of Europe, but of an appalling European war. It is this alarming violence, this remorseless haste, as of a tornado tearing its way with resistless force across peaceful lands, which takes away our breath and paralyzes our thoughts. Before we have had time to guess whither events were leading us, we find ourselves in the center of the storm; and every man in every capital looks with feverish anticipation for what the next few hours may bring forth. Human imagination is stunned by so sudden, so tremendous, and so unexpected a catastrophe.”

We believe that the sudden and unexpected manner in which this war broke upon the inhabitants of Europe is an object lesson of the rapid manner in which other significant events will shape in the closing days of earth’s history. Says the servant of the Lord, “Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.” How greatly we need to be on our guard lest the great day of the Lord come upon us as a thief in the night, and we be taken as in a snare. Satan would have us believe that we can actually figure out the proximity of the Lord’s return; that by casting up figures and compiling statistics we can determine just how far the last gospel message has extended, and how nearly Israel is made up.

We take the map of the world and point with pride to the progress of this movement. There are few countries it has not entered, yet much remains to be done. But after all, how little we can determine the forces and the agencies which God has at work in the accomplishment of his purpose! We thank God from the depth of our heart for what has been accomplished, but we can measure only the material extent of the message. We have no means of determining the unseen influence which has gone out into all the world. We only know this, that in many instances the Spirit of God has reached over and beyond denominational effort, and men and women in various countries, by personal study of the Word, have been led to see many of the precious truths which we as a people hold, and have accepted them without any knowledge of us as a denomination.

We seek many times to measure the extent to which certain movements have progressed. We consider the fulfilment of prophecy with respect to the United States, with respect to Turkey, and we argue that the end must be reached through certain progressive steps in the fulfilment of the prophetic word, and yet, after all, this is largely human reasoning and human speculation. We know that certain results will be reached in the end, yet we have but little conception of just what steps may be taken and how rapidly these steps may be taken. It is evident that we are on the eve of mighty and startling events. Everything is shaping toward a speedy climax. The great forces of evil have been marshaling, and are ready to make their last great stand against God and his truth. All heaven is ready. If the church of God were as fully prepared, how speedily God could accomplish his work in the earth!

Sometime, we know not when nor how soon, God will set his hand to cut his work short in righteousness. Are we ready for this as a church, as individuals? Are we ready for the events which wait on the morrow, whatever they may be? for the startling changes which this year will bring? We would raise no false alarm. We do not believe in wild enthusiasm or erratic moves; but we do believe that we have come to a time when we need to be very greatly in earnest in seeking God.

What is it to be ready? It is to have every sin forgiven. It is to be gaining daily victory in our Christian experience. It is to have everything placed upon the altar of service,—our property, our sons and daughters, our own lives,—all to be used as the providence of God shall lead and indicate. It is to live separate and apart from the evil influences of the world around us, to avoid partaking of its spirit or coming under its power. It is to find pleasure in the service of God rather than in the pleasures of the world or the service of self. It is to be in our own homes and in the consciousness of our own hearts what we profess to be before our brethren and sisters. He who puts off this day of complete consecration does so at his peril. The call of God to his people today is to prepare themselves for the things that are coming upon the earth. Are you ready? This is the question which we desire to press home to the heart of every reader. Are you prepared for the close of your probation? Are you prepared to meet the Lord Christ?

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21: 34-36. F. M. W.